Newman steps down as Leopards boys soccer coach

November 22, 2007|by DAN KAUFFMAN

Paul Newman is giving up his role as Smithsburg High School's varsity boys soccer coach to focus his energy on his job as a special education teacher.

"It takes a certain level of energy to make sure you're doing your best job, and I just don't know I have the energy to give it another year," Newman said. "I felt at times this year I was neglecting my job, and maybe someone else could do it (coach and teach), but I'm out of energy."

Newman steps down after seven seasons as the varsity coach, compiling a 65-49-3 record. The 65 wins are the most by any Smithsburg boys coach, and Newman's winning percentage (.556) is also the best in school history.

"Paul's done a wonderful job with the boys program," Smithsburg athletic director Teresa Bachtell said. "He's taken them to the regional championship a couple times and has been a real motivating factor for the boys."

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The Leopards won Maryland Class 1A West titles in 2001 and 2002 and reached the state final in 2002.

"The first regional final in the freezing cold up at Beall is something I'll never forget," Newman said. "We won 1-0, and it was our first chance to see someone not from this area, and that was a fun game to win. Playing in the state final was fun, too."

Newman's final season was one to remember. Smithsburg finished 14-3 and won the Washington County Tournament title and the MVAL Antietam title - doing the latter with a perfect 5-0 record.

"Those are two things Smithsburg had never accomplished," Newman said. "There are kids on this Smithsburg team that I coached through middle school. Some of the guys who are seniors this year I started coaching in sixth grade. It's been a really fun group to work with."